“Human lore says they’re creatures created of clay or mud, formed into human shapes and magically imbued with life, completely controlled by the human who created them, mindless besides,” Lucien shared.

“And the real story?” Abel pushed.

“They’re immortals whose procreation includes the female and male tearing away their own flesh and bones to form an infant. They cover the child in their blood, perform a ritual, and breathe life into their potential offspring from their own mouths,” Callum finished the story.

“Fucking hell,” Abel murmured.

“And they’re not mindless,” Gregor put in. “They’re quite powerful, if clumsy in battle, their bulk, which is considerable, being to their advantage. They can also be beheaded and survive for some time, five, ten minutes, as long as they can find and reattach their heads.”

“Jesus,” Abel mumbled.

Gregor kept speaking.

“The only way to kill them is to dismember them into as many pieces as possible and set fire, again, to as many pieces as possible.”

“They also don’t procreate easily,” Callum added. “The child formed by parts of their parents does not always take their breath and then breathe. Golem mates can try for decades, even centuries, before they create one child. This means they’re particularly careful about losses so it’s a surprise they’ve not stayed neutral. Then again, they don’t look quite like humans, stay hidden almost completely, and have had a very difficult history, including much vilification at human hands that at many points some centuries ago was extreme.”

Gregor sighed and Abel switched his gaze to the vampire. “I wish I had the entirety of the evening to share more, but I must prepare. Serena is en route and she and I have much to discuss.”

“Right,” Abel muttered.

“Lucien and Callum can fill in many blanks, Abel,” Gregor told him. “But I’ll leave you with this. I’m pleased you and Delilah are in the fold. But I’m more pleased with the immortal we’ve discovered you to be—a great warrior, loyal to his family, protective of his mate. As The Prophesies have foretold, you would be that kind of immortal. But in reality, you are that and more. I have always had hope, knowing Lucien and Callum were to lead our fight. Now, fighting at your side with the family you’ve created, the loyalty they showed, and the way they mourn their loss, my hope has increased greatly.”

Abel didn’t want to give a shit about what the guy thought, but he couldn’t help but do it.

And since the vampire put it out there, Abel had to give it back, doing this by muttering his “Thanks.”

Gregor smiled a small smile, downed his whiskey, set his glass aside, turned his head, and tipped his chin to Lucien and Callum.

He left the room, saying, “Until tomorrow.”